The Chicago Bears have agreed to a two-year contract with linebacker D’Marco Jackson just hours before the legal tampering period of free agency began. The deal is valued at $7.5 million, with a maximum potential worth of $10.5 million, securing Jackson’s place on the team as they work to strengthen their roster depth.
D’Marco Jackson Earned a Bigger Role After Stepping Up for Injured Starter
During the 2025 season, Tremaine Edmunds was enjoying a career-best year before a Week 11 groin injury sidelined him. The Bears placed Edmunds on injured reserve, opening the door for D’Marco Jackson to step in as the starting middle linebacker. Originally a fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Jackson had only just been added to the Bears roster from the waiver wire in August, but he quickly demonstrated his value.
Jackson played 260 snaps in the starting role and earned an impressive 83.8 grade from Pro Football Focus. Notably, opposing quarterbacks recorded a passer rating of just 29.7 when targeting receivers near him, highlighting his disruptive presence on the field. His performance solidified the Bears’ confidence in retaining him, particularly as the team released Edmunds earlier this offseason. Jackson is expected to compete for, and potentially secure, the starting middle linebacker position heading into OTAs, although competition from rookies and free agent additions remains likely.
Implications of Jackson’s Contract for Chicago’s Free Agency Strategy
The contract’s maximum value of $10.5 million over two years is reasonable enough that it should not hinder the Bears’ broader free agency goals. Chicago still appears poised to pursue high-end linebacker options such as Devin Lloyd or invest in the draft to challenge Jackson for playing time. According to Over The Cap, the Bears maintain over $24 million in available salary cap space and have yet to restructure any contracts, preserving flexibility to pursue additional roster upgrades ahead of the season.
Evaluating the Significance of the Jackson Agreement
This signing represents a practical, foundational move by the Bears’ front office rather than a headline-grabbing acquisition. While Jackson is unlikely to emerge as an elite defender or the franchise’s cornerstone linebacker, his reliable and impactful play last season justified this career-high contract, which more than doubles what he earned during his rookie deal with the New Orleans Saints.
Jackson contributes valuable depth, special teams experience, and proven readiness to start when needed. For general manager Ryan Poles, securing Jackson on a two-year, $7.5 million deal is a prudent and effective decision that strengthens the team’s linebacker corps. This move earns a solid “A” grade as it reflects careful roster building and financial sensibility, with the potential for more strategic signings as free agency progresses.
“#Bears LB D’Marco Jackson has agreed to terms to go back to Chicago on a 2-year, $7.5M deal with a max value $10.5M, source said.”— Ian Rapoport, NFL Insider
#Bears LB D’Marco Jackson has agreed to terms to go back to Chicago on a 2-year, $7.5M deal with a max value $10.5M, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2026
